Full Notification

The following is a synopsis of crimes reported for the week of August 27, 2023 – September 2, 2023.        
 
August 27, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
August 28, 2023

• Burglary (Vehicle):

1931 Buena Vista Street (Spaghetti Factory). On August 28, 2023 between 6:45 PM and 9:45 PM, suspect(s) unknown shattered the window to the victim’s camper cover to his white 2005 Chevy Silverado while it was parked at the location and stole multiple pieces of luggage from the bed of the vehicle. The loss was approximately $8,500. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Pett Theft:

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On August 28, 2023 between 10:30 AM and11:30 AM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim’s “Trek” bicycle that was locked to the bike rack of the location. The loss was approximately $600. No surveillance video is available.
 
August 29, 2023

• No significant activity.

 
August 30, 2023

• Aggravated Assault:

1301 Buena Vista Street (Duarte County Library). On August 30, 2023 at 2:37 AM, the victim was sleeping at the location when he was suddenly assaulted by a male black adult, 29 years old with dreadlocks wearing a black shirt and dark colored shorts known as Derick Davenport. During the assault, the suspect kicked the victim multiple times and shoved the victim into a glass window causing it to shatter. The suspect fled the area on a dark colored bicycle. The victim was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for lacerations to his head and face. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

1800 Block of Buena Vista Street. On August 30, 2023 between 5 PM and 8 PM, suspect(s) unknown stole the victim's parked vehicle, a brown 2018 Kia Soul. No surveillance video is available.
 
 August 31, 2023

• Burglary (Vehicle):

2000 Block of Mountain Avenue. Between August 30, 2023 9:30 PM and August 31, 2023 7:10 AM, suspect(s) unknown shattered the front passenger side window to the victim’s blue 2018 Kia Forte while it was parked at the location and stole her wallet from the center console of the vehicle. The loss was approximately $100. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Petty Theft:

1143 Huntington Drive (Planet Fitness). On August 31, 2023 between 1:44 PM and 2:40 PM, suspect(s) unknown entered the victim’s unlocked vehicle, a white 2018 Honda Civic, and stole the victim’s wallet that was in the center console. The loss was approximately $35. No surveillance video is available.
 

• Grand Theft Auto:

1800 Block of Buena Vista Street. Between August 30, 2023 6 PM and August 31, 2023 7:15 AM, suspect(s) unknown attempted to take the victim's parked vehicle, a green 1995 Honda Civic. No surveillance video is available.
 
September 1, 2023

• Grand Theft:

1450 Mountain Avenue (Harbor Freight). On September 1, 2023 at 9:20 AM, suspect unknown a male Hispanic adult, wearing a long blue sleeve sweater and blue jeans, entered the location and walked to the dolly section of the location. The suspect selected two “Predator” 3500 generators and placed them onto the dolly and exited the front of the location without attempting to purchase the items. The loss was approximately $1,000. Surveillance video is available.
 
September 2, 2023

• Atempt Grand Theft:

1600 Mountain Avenue (Walmart). On September 2, 2023 at 4 PM, suspect(s) unknown attempted to steal the catalytic converter from the victim's parked vehicle, a gray 2015 Honda Accord. The damage was approximately $1,500. No surveillance video is available.
 

The Appeal of Catalytic Converters 

The reason is the value of the metals used in the manufacturing of the catalytic converters. Catalytic converters contain platinum, rhodium, and palladium. The metals are expensive, and thieves sell the converters to scrap yards for several hundred dollars per piece, depending on the size of the converter and the current rate on the metals inside it. It can cost you, on average up, to $2000 to replace a catalytic converter, and it is illegal to drive your car without one. The resulting gap in your exhaust system also makes the car run poorly until it is fixed.

How to Prevent a Catalytic Converter Theft
Always park in well-lit areas when possible. If you have a personal garage, keep your car in the garage with the door closed when the vehicle is not in use. Park your vehicle close to a building entrance or the nearest access road when parking in a public lot. This is due to the increased amount of pedestrian traffic in those areas.

Security devices are available that attach to the converter, making it harder to steal. Having the converter welded in place also makes it more difficult to remove. Video surveillance around your garage or driveway is also useful if you have the budget for it. Engrave your vehicle identification number (VIN) or license plate onto your catalytic converter to make it easier to identify if it gets stolen.